Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings for January 26

There are two new top teams in the Big Ten. Although Michigan has only one loss, its most recent wins have not proved much of anything. Nebraska still controls things in the Big Ten, and the USC Trojans are aiming to get themselves into that conversation after knocking off the hot Wisconsin Badgers.

Here are my Big Ten basketball power rankings for men’s hoops after the past week of Big Ten Conference play:

1. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 20-0

The Cornhuskers do not believe in trap games, as this team now moves to 20-0 and 9-0 in the Big Ten. This team has not taken any opponent lightly, and vs Minnesota, they proved they can will their way back as they had a dominant second half to take down the Gophers. This team is as good as it gets, even with the injuries they have sustained.

2. Illinois Fighting Illini, 17-3

For the last few weeks, Illinois has looked just as good as Nebraska. The Fighting Illini have now won 9 straight games, and they took care of business against the Boilermakers. If they keep it up, they could catch up to Nebraska. At the very least, they look like the team best fitted to take down the Cornhuskers and avenge their loss in December.

Michigan State has the best defense in the country, and the Terrapins were its last victim as that game was over in the second half. The Spartans are beasts on the glass and provide a physicality that not too many teams are up to. Jeremy Fears Jr. is a star, and he can play at the level of any other star in this conference. The Spartans are a very scary team to keep an eye on.

The Wolverines blew out the Hoosiers and took care of business vs their rival, yet this team still has more to prove. Even with their great record and their early resume to start this season, are they really playing as well as their counterparts? This week will be very crucial in the outlook of this Wolverines squad.

5. Purdue Boilermakers, 17-3

Purdue suffered two tough losses this past week. One was to the Bruins, and the other to a really good Fighting Illini team. Purdue is heading in the wrong direction with that loss, while its counterparts are all hitting their groove.

6. Iowa Hawkeyes, 14-5

Iowa went 1-0 last week, knocking off Rutgers, a win that gives not too much to gather from. This week, however, there is a potential battle vs USC, which could raise the winner or plummet the loser in the standings. Iowa’s reputation as a contender is on the line.

7. Wisconsin Badgers, 14-6

After winning 5 straight and having a win vs Michigan on their resume, the Badgers got humbled by the USC Trojans. A loss that they really only have themselves to blame for, as they fumbled a double-digit lead late in the game. Prior to that loss, they blew out the worst team in the Big Ten in Penn State. The Badgers cannot afford losses anymore, and they will look to get back on track vs Minnesota.

8. Ohio State Buckeyes, 13-6

The Buckeyes’ path to the tournament is looking thin after a 4th loss in conference vs their rival, the Wolverines. In their win this past week, the Buckeyes still showed major flaws and were only able to knock off the Gophers in overtime. This is a good Buckeyes team, but they need to be close to perfect to avoid being on the outside looking in come March.

9. UCLA Bruins, 14-6

UCLA is a very sneaky team this season, as they are a perfect 12-0 at home. This is the best newly added Big Ten team, and this season, they already have a top-tier upset under their belt. It will take much more to secure themselves a spot in the tourney, but with how they are playing, anything is possible.

10. USC Trojans, 15-5

The USC Trojans got their big win in conference. Beating the Badgers after they won 5 straight and beat Michigan is exactly what this team needed. Chad Baker-Mazara was fantastic, and he proved to be the star he has been all season long, but in the game this team needed the most. The Trojans are very much alive with their record, but they need to get on a roll.

The Hoosiers stopped a 4 game skid with their win over Rutgers. Lamar Wilkerson and company still have some work to do to prove they are a team to watch out for. Their next two games will break them or be exactly what they need to get back into the thick of things.

12. Washington Huskies, 11-9

Washington split last week, and they will have to do that once again with Illinois and Northwestern coming up on the schedule. This team has the talent to pull off an upset, but also needs to win every game where they are the favorite. They still have a shot for an NCAA bid, but they have a small margin for error.

After losing 5 straight, the Gophers have lost all momentum, and this team is headed for a season without meaningful basketball in March. Unless they turn things around dramatically, they will be watching the tournament from home.

14. Northwestern Wildcats, 9-11

The Wildcats are 1-8 in conference, but they still are a tough team and a tough opponent. This team has taken many of the top teams in the conference to the brink of an upset at many points in their games. They are better than their record suggests, and they just got a huge upset vs the Trojans. They unfortunately can not close out games, and that will cost them any real success this season.

15. Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 9-11

The Scarlet Knights lost both of their games last week, and this team did not show anything to be confident in each of those losses. They have matches with USC and Michigan State this week, and it could end up a very similar week to last week if Rutgers does not make adjustments.

16. Oregon Ducks, 8-12

Oregon is right there with Penn State and Maryland in terms of being disappointing. Getting embarrassed in the Big Ten is one thing, but losing to another team that moved to the Big Ten with you that is struggling as well adds even more to the blow. The Ducks will face another familiar opponent in the UCLA Bruins; unfortunately for them, that team is rolling. The Ducks could receive another humbling defeat.

17. Maryland Terrapins, 8-12

Maryland lost to Illinois by 19 points and followed that up by getting annihilated by the Spartans. Losing to Michigan State by 43 points should never be acceptable. The Terrapins did not look like they belonged on the same court as either team. Following that very poor week last week, the Terrapins now have a match-up vs Purdue, which could very well be another ugly game.

As bad as it gets in the conference, that is what this season has been for Penn State. Penn State is the only team in the conference without a win in conference play. Penn State has the other bottom teams scheduled in the coming days, but this team has given little to no confidence that they can beat either of those teams.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings for Monday, January 26

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